44th anniversary of the Faculty of Law of the University of Banja Luka

The Faculty of Law of the University of Banja Luka celebrated 44 years of existence on February 6, 2019.

A graduation ceremony for bachelor and master students was held in a crowded amphitheater of the Faculty.

Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, Rector of the University, said that the Faculty of Law is an honorable member of the University, recognizable for its excellent employees, resolved spatial capacities and, excellent students.

"The management of the Faculty successfully cooperates with the University and its organizational units, as well as with local and executive authorities in the Republic of Srpska, but also with other Law Faculties in the region and the world," he said.

The Rector also mentions the importance to emphasize the fact that the resolution of the foundation of the third cycle of studies – Law doctoral studies is approved, and will enable the students to enroll in all three study cycles.

"We expect to license of the third cycle of studies and enrollment of first PhD students in the academic year 2019/20," the Rector said.

According to the Rector, successful work of this faculty significantly induced the spread of legal knowledge, and shaped generations of judges, lawyers and legal experts.

He especially congratulated the graduates who obtained their diplomas at this faculty.

"Your education certainly does not end now. Continuous acquisition of knowledge is necessary in order to keep up with the world, and you will have the support of your professors, and the University of Banja Luka in general", said Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD.
Željka Cvijanović, the President of the Republika Srpska, said that the Faculty of Law is an important educational institution that produces outstanding and skillful staff, which shows that it is possible to survive in difficult times.

"Law profession is an essential professional field. With this degree you have a position in every domain, whether it is an institution or any other business", said President Cvijanović.

The President of the Republic of Srpska emphasized that the Government and institutions will strengthen the education system in the future in order to modernize the teaching process and to keep up with the needs of the labor market and global challenges.

"The goal is to create better conditions for studying. In the previous period, 110 million BAM was invested in higher education, and 45 million BAM was invested in the University of Banja Luka. This allowed for the construction of new faculties, the adaptation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of existing facilities, the construction of new student dormitories and so on. It is a great and ongoing financial activity", said President Cvijanović.

The President of Republika Srpska pointed out that the 21st century is a time of knowledge, and that cannot be achieved without a strong education.

President Cvijanović congratulated the students who graduated, as well as their families.

Prof. Željko Mirjanić, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Law, said that the Faculty of Law has a significant role in each country in the field of staff training, and assistance to the economy through the drafting of laws and other acts.

"The institutions of the Republic of Srpska can count on this faculty to the extent that it is needed. This faculty has a future and the goal is to put legal faculties in the Republic of Srpska at the disposal of the institutions because they can help the development of the Republic of Srpska with their knowledge", said Dean Mirjanić.

He added that today graduates 130 masters of legal sciences, law masters and law graduates, and that a total of 2,000 students is currently enrolled at this institution.

Mirjanić announced that this institution will start its first doctoral studies in October this year. He added that it was agreed to improve cooperation with the Faculty of Law in Belgrade.

The student of the generation of the Faculty of Law is Milica Ristic, who said that was honored to have graduated from the faculty with GPA of 9.62, and she expressed hope that she and her colleagues will continue their education and training in the Republic of Srpska.

The Faculty also gave thanks to all those who helped the development of the Faculty of Law with their unselfish work and dedication.

Among other important attendees, there were Prof. Goran Latinovic, PhD, Vice-Rector for Scientific Research and Development, Prof. Luka Kecman, PhD, Vice-Rector for Human and Material Resources, Prof. Billjana Antunovic, PhD, Vice-Rector for International and Interuniversity cooperation, Prof. Strain Posavljak, PhD, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Student Issues.

Radovan Višković, Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska, Srdjan Rajčević, Minister for Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society, and Anton Kasipović, Minister of Justice, attended the ceremony at the Faculty of Law.

Among other attendees, there were guests from the Faculty of Law in Belgrade and the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Srpska, as well as numerous officials from the scientific and political life of the Republic of Srpska and Banja Luka.

The Faculty of Law was founded in 1975. Prior to that, legal science in Banja Luka was studied at the Faculty of Law of the University of Sarajevo.

A branch of the department of the Faculty of Law of the University of Sarajevo was established in Banja Luka in autumn 1973, and classes for full time and part time students at the Faculty of Law started in the school year of 1975/76.